BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The shooting happened while people at Bethel Baptist Church were having Sunday morning service.

One church member tells CBS42 that at least one parishioner heard several shots. Neighbors see it as a senseless act of violence that is all the more shocking because it happened in a church’s back yard.

The victim of the Harrison Park shooting was shot multiple times in the head and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.

“I just feel bad for the victim you know that’s real sad. You know what I’m saying, just to hear about something like that happening. And I think that all the killing and violence and stuff needs to stop round here in Birmingham you know. Because it don’t make no sense you know what I’m saying and it hurt me just to hear about you know that happened,” said Timothy Gullett.

A sign at the site of the shooting spells out how some Bethel Baptist Church members are feeling. It reads: “Stop the Violence- Children Play Here.”

“Especially here, right in front of the church. That would be the last place you would think about. A church,” said Ronald Luckey, Bethel Baptist Church member. “It’s a shame that it happened that way right as we were having service. A lot of things need to be changed around here. I think a lot more patrols need to be ran around here. That’s what I really believe. Like I said again it’s a sad thing, sad thing, sad thing.”